The Whole Music Experience

World  Michalis Terzis   Magic of the Greek Bouzouki Arc Music For those of us who don’t live in, travel to Greece or come from Greek origin probably only hear traditional Greek music while eating at a Greek restaurant or as the soundtrack for the comedy movie, My Fat Greek Wedding .   People of a certain age will also recall the soundtracks from the movies Zorba the Greek and Never on a Sunday (two must-see classics).   Greek music comes in two emotions for the most part, desperately tragic as in rembetika and exuberant as in Greek dance or feasting songs. While I enjoy Greek vocal music, instrumental music with its bouzouki, baglamas (Turkish instrument), lutes, zither, mandolins, guitar, piano, bass, percussion sound invigorating or just plain haunting depending on the song.   However, I think most non-Greeks will conjure thought of Greek wedding music or the lively circle dance songs.   We think of sunny islands, the sea, sand...

Best of Greece (The Athenians, Michalis Terzis, Kriteos... Arc Music Listening to Greek music reminds me of eating in Greek restaurants, Zorba the Greek and the movie My Big Greek Wedding .   I know as a music reviewer who has covered the Mediterranean I should know more about Greek music than bouzoukis and brief encounters with Greek blues known as rembetika.   I actually taste spanikopita while I listen to Best of Greece.   The acoustic instruments bouzouki, baglama (a Mediterranean lute), drums, and vocals set an exotic backdrop for winding up a summer’s day.   The music of several bands, The Athenians, Michalis Terzis, Kriteos, and Talking to Charos uplift and we visualize dancers working themselves into frenzies. This 2-CD set creates a dining or dancing atmosphere.   L isten to it alone or preferably in good company of friends and family.   Ugandan musician Samite once told concert attendees that in Uganda it’s not music unless ...